DAVID Nugent will face Sunderland in today's FA Cup tie despite Sheffield United launching a #6million bid for the Preston striker.

North End manager Paul Simpson is desperate to keep hold of the in demand striker - but admits Nugent's future will be a hot topic between now and February 1.

Club chairman Derek Shaw this week refused to comment on reports of the Blades' bid.

But Simpson is adamant Nugent will not be distracted by the speculation - and couldn't care less about the player's value being affected if he is cup-tied. Simpson said: "I have never even considered not playing him because I want him to be here until the end of the season. There has been a lot of speculation but it hasn't affected him.

"In fact he seems to have picked up in the last few weeks. He has scored four goals in his last four games and I want him to make it five in five.

"If that's his response, then I hope everybody keeps on talking about him moving on."

Last Saturday's victory at the Stadium of Light means Preston are favourites to ease their way past their Championship rivals. For Sunderland boss Roy Keane it is his first taste of the FA Cup as a manager - and he admits he has some bad memories of it as player.

Keane, who insists he has mellowed since his hard-man image on the pitch, said: "The FA Cup has got me into a lot of trouble down the years.

"I remember scoring in the quarter-final for Nottingham Forest against Norwich and doing some silly somersault.

"I got a clip round the ear from Brian Clough for that. He hammered me for it after the game.

"But I won't be having a go at my players if they do a somersault or two after scoring on Saturday."